Press

High Plains Morning Radio

Jenny Inzerillo, High Plains Public Radio,
June 01, 2018

"From where I sit, Carl's music has it all. His songs are honest and expertly crafted, with a straightforward simplicity that weaves effortlessly into folk, Americana, and classic songwriter genres. To me, his style evokes the best of John Prine, Mark Knopfler, Jackson C. Frank, and Dave Van Ronk, with stories as rich as they are insightful. This folk DJ appreciates music rooted in human experience and communicated plainly to strangers with willing hearts. I'm grateful for artists like Carl who put everything of themselves in their composition, but with the listener in mind."

-- Jenny Inzerillo, High Plains Public Radio

CD Distribution Email

Mike Penard- mikepenard@laposte.net,
May 11, 2018

Bonjour Carl

"You made my day and my week with your album! I completely fell under the charm of theses so good songs, these so cathy melodies, your voice and the superb soundscape..really beautiful and subtle arrangements..I just love your album.. one of the best i have these last weeks"

Mountain Times

Garth Guilbold,
August 02, 2017

Carl Solomon

A music festival with ‘peak’ interest posted on 07/31/2017

Jon Tullis, Director of Public Affairs for Timberline Lodge, described the annual Mountain Music Festival as a time when, “Timberline lets its hair down a little bit.” This year’s event brings in folk, bluegrass and Celtic musicians from near and far, starting at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 4 at the iconic lodge’s amphitheatre, with music going until sunset.

“There’s some real high energy bluegrass to good country, folk and great vocals,” Tullis said. “It’s going to be a great show.”

The lineup features local musician Carl Solomon, a Portland singer-songwriter who performs in the storyteller tradition, Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys, The Way Down Wanderers, The Railsplitters and We Banjo 3, a “Celtgrass” band featuring banjo, fiddle, guitar and mandolin.

Tullis noted this year’s lineup offer some youthful energy, with bands that are playing at festivals all over the country, including two (We Banjo 3 and Lindsay Lou & The Flatbellys) who will head to the Sisters Folk Festival after their gig near the top of Mount Hood.

“I think it’s a good complimentary lineup,” Tullis said, adding that the routes bands take during their summer tours often plays a role into who is available to play at Timberline.

The festival, which is free and open to the public, will also feature the “Pickin’ Patio,” where festival goers can bring their own instruments, and the chance for different organizations to do some outreach, including the Friends of Timberline, the Pacific Crest Trail Association and Filson, a clothing maker who more than 100 years ago had the first contract with the U.S. Forest Service to make their uniforms.

Tullis noted he likes to feature a local musician at the festival, such as Solomon, who was selected to be a performer at the Portland International Airport and who also organized the Portland chapter of Soldiers Songs and Voices, a nonprofit that provides veterans and their families with free instruments and songwriting workshops as a form of post-conflict care.

Solomon is familiar with Timberline Lodge, even playing at the Ram’s Head Bar last December, and is looking forward to returning to the landmark for the festival.

“It’s an amazing piece of art,” he said. “The first time I saw it we went up to do some skiing, and it just took my breath away. It’s just an honor to have a chance to play there and have that kind of view.”

Solomon noted he plans on playing both new material and at least one song from his first CD, plus one that tells the story of his first job out of college as a carnival barker.

“It taught me to rhyme on my feet,” Solomon said of the job. “Basically you’re just supposed to continue to talk and have a cadence and a rhyme and a sense to your voice. That actually has proven to be a very helpful background.”

Tullis framed the event as a party for the mountain, and festival goers should be ready to enjoy themselves and have a good time.

“I like to tell people to bring their dancing shoes, I think people will be on their feet,” he said.

Music will take place rain or shine, but no dogs or picnic lunches. For more information, call 503-272-3134.

CD Promotion

Open Door Songwriter Series

Bob Howard,

"Carls gift of storytelling inspires his songwriting. The honesty of his songs are compelling. He kept us mesmerized at his recent show at the historic Ascension Episcopal Parish. What a great evening."

Paradise House Concerts

Judy Beaudoin,

"Carl's prose is wonderfully creative and engaging, his melodies gentle, joyful and playful. To experience his live performance is to be wondrously transported to a place only sweet, true music can take you."

Poet Laureate of Oklahoma

Nathan Brown,

"For someone who was born in Baltimore, and lives in Portland, Oregon, Carl Solomon sure does have a Route 66 soul in him. These are drivin' down the road songs. So load'em up and take'em with you…"

Diane Hunt DJ KBOO FM - Folk Expresso,
August 11, 2015

"Building on his success with Those Two Crows from his 2012 release, Black Top Beaut Carl has crafted another CD of 12 songs that reflect his insight into the human condition. These melodies and chords are spare, but the feelings contained within them are deep and heartfelt.

Award Winning Songwriter/Musician

Dan Weber,

“Carl Solomon is at once unassuming and captivating. Like an old friend telling a story you think you’ve heard 20 times but then you close your eyes and really listen, really listen and it’s hearing that old story for the first time. That’s Carl Solomon an Old Friend telling an old story that seems new."

KBOO 90.7FM "Folk Expresso"

Diane Hunt,

"Your Crow song is on my playlist yet again tomorrow morning. I just LOVE it!!! I sorta wish I could play it non-stop throughout my entire hour-and-a-half long show, it's that good. Alas, I must sprinkle the program with others... but I'll save you till the peak listening moment: shortly before 7am tomorrow!"

KBOO 90.7FM

Laurie Sonnenfeld,

"Even though his music is tinged with humor, Carl Solomon's songs have the earnest approach of their Appalachian and country/western/folk roots. The guitar and back-up on his engaging new CD compliment Carl's honest and endearing vocal style. The songs combine simplicity, warmth and depth. He feels like an old and welcome friend from the first listen. Be careful, though the songs will stick with you, especially Those Two Crows."